Invited by Adorama, LUMIX EDU joined the All American High School Film Festival (AAHSFF) in New York City on October 18, celebrating the creativity and talent of young filmmakers from around the globe. The event took over AMC Empire 25 in Times Square, where screenings ran all weekend, and students filled the lobby between programs to meet with film programs, creative partners, and gear manufacturers, including LUMIX.
At the LUMIX table, students and teachers stopped by to check out cameras like the LUMIX S9, S5IIX, GH7 and learn about opportunities through the LUMIX EDU program. A 30-second LUMIX trailer played before every screening, helping drive traffic to the table throughout the day. Attendees scanned QR codes to join the LUMIX EDU community and entered a raffle to win a LUMIX S5IIX, an event highlight that generated excitement among both students and faculty.
At the LUMIX table, students and teachers explored cameras like the LUMIX S9, S5IIX, and GH7 while learning about opportunities through the LUMIX EDU program.
The All American High School Film Festival is one of the largest showcases for student filmmakers in the world. Founded by former high school teacher Tom Oliva, the festival was born from his desire to fill a gap he saw while teaching film in the early 2000s. “I loved stories. I loved movies. And I was inspired by my students’ passion and creativity,” revealed Oliva. “But back in the early 2000s, teaching film was an overwhelming task. I had no curriculum, no standards, little to no equipment, and perhaps most importantly, no idea where the bar was set.”
Determined to change that, Oliva created a platform that celebrates and connects young filmmakers with real-world opportunities. Over the years, the festival has grown into an international event featuring thousands of submissions from all 50 states and more than 50 countries. Its student film library now holds over 15,000 student films, which are used to inspire other students and to build peer-created lesson plans for educators.
Beyond screenings, the festival weekend includes filmmaking competitions, technology showcases, college fairs, and networking events. “Our mission remains the same, which is to showcase the future of film on a grand stage and to provide immersive education with a profound impact,” said Oliva. Each year, the event concludes with the Teen Indie Awards, where more than $500,000 in prizes and scholarships are distributed.
The All American High School Film Festival at AMC Empire 25 in New York City on October 18 celebrated the creativity and talent of young filmmakers from around the world.
The stories being told by today’s high school filmmakers are as diverse as their creators. “We see everything from coming-of-age dramas to stories about faith, family, politics, and fantasy,” explained Oliva. “Our students are exploring the human condition through fresh eyes, and their voices are powerful.”
Oliva sees film education as a gateway to countless creative careers. “Visual storytelling is the artistic medium of our time,” he explained. “Our students are graduating high school with skills that prepare them for roles across the industry—editing, sound design, producing, color, production design, and more.”
Through partnerships like LUMIX EDU, the festival continues to help young creators gain access to professional-grade tools, hands-on learning, and inspiration for their next project.
All American High School Film Festival Founder Tom Oliva introduces a screening program.
If you’d like to learn more about what LUMIX EDU can do for your school or program, visit shop.panasonic.com/pages/lumix-education-program. You will need a .edu or .org email address, or upload a school ID to register for an account.
